 The
first time I heard about the Power-Thingy, it was in Rennes 2004,
for the Europeans Championships, where Corinne Castets, a
French 40 year-old nearly retired player who looked (and ran) like
an 18 year old.
She was training on a 'wobbling machine', as I like to call it. And
it suited her, let me tell you…
Since then, I heard that Vanessa Atkinson and Natalie
Grinham are using it (it’s quite big in Holland). Peter Nicol
also, after training with Lars Harms, swears by it, and
has even decided to open several studios in London. A lot of famous
people are also bitten by the Power-Plate virus.
And the latest 'victim' of the
Wobblingmania is Scotland's only professional player, the gorgeous
and stunning Pam Nimmo. Digging into her life savings, she
has invested in three machines and is extremely well integrated in
the Fitrooms in Fulham.
 But
how did it all start???
Well, Lars Harms, a Swiss squash pro, now retired, was Pam’s
personal trainer, and when he introduced her to the Power-Plate at
Lambs, Miss Nimmo was immediately seduced. "This machine is just
amazing," she says, "when I started training on it, I used to go and
work on it religiously three times a week, and saw the stunning
benefits very quickly."
And you know, it’s always when life seems to kick you where it hurts
the most that a secret door opens…
For Pam, hell broke loose with her non-selection for the
Commonwealth Games, probably one of the most painful experiences of
her life.
"I’m still not sure why I was not selected. I never even got a
letter of notification or anything. I just read in the Press that I
was not part of the selection, which made it even more painful.
And then, to crown it all, I lost my funding… And I knew that
without it, I just couldn’t go on playing on the circuit like I used
to. I knew I had to find another way…"
Pam stopped and thought. She reviewed her life, her options, and
realised the potential of the Power-Plate. She decided to brush off
her Sport Science degree, started a Personal Training Certificate to
renew her knowledge, and with the help of Lars, went hunting for a
convenient space to open her studio.
 That’s
when she met with FitRooms owner Mario Pederzolli who
transformed a place on its way out (600 members and falling) into a
blazing success (1,400 today) when he took over three years ago.
"We had a cardio room, quite dark, with loud music, American style,
but it was not really working. So we were wondering what to
transform it into, we even asked the members what they wanted, and
Pam walked in," says the drop dead gorgeous Mario… "The vibration
studio complements our business nicely, it’s a perfect fit."
And Pam felt the same. "The first time I came here, it was an
evening, there was a 'nightclub' feel about it, great music, great
atmosphere. I clicked immediately."
 And
the rest is history. Pam went to the bank, emptied her savings, and
opened her 'Vibration Studio'.
She created a logo, she created a space where people of all ages and
levels of fitness can work, change their body and their frame of
mind. And for a very affordable price.
"There are very few studios at the moment, as far as I know, one in
Harrods and one in Baker Street.
"For the budget, prices go from £15
per group session to £25 for a
one to one. Each session is 30 minutes, and trust me, it’s long
enough! The best is to train between two and three times a week, if
you can."
I stepped on one of those machines, and I’m seduced to the point
that we’ve decided with Pam that I’m going to start training with
her, as rehabilitation for my knees. I’ll let you know how I’m
doing, and the benefits I get out of it, guys…
 But
what about Pam’s career? Has she retired?
"Not on your life! On the contrary, I’m in a great environment to
work out, I’m doing boxing, pilates, I’m going to Charing Cross
Sports Centre to play squash, with Ben Ford who is the pro there.
I’m probably fitter than I’ve ever been!
"I had to find an income after my funding was removed, and the
Vibration Studio is an important business to me, to my future, but
squash is my love.
"Of course, I get a lot of rewards in this studio, when I see that I
play a role in changing people’s lives, oh God it sounds so
dramatic, but it’s true!
"But still, squash-wise, I’ll be back!"
Thank God for that…
|
"I’ve
been helping Pam with her physical training, and I used the
Power-Plate as an extra tool. It helped her a great deal for
squash (movement, strength, coordination). When Pam discovered
the PP, she was as fascinated as I was, in particular as a
short time of training leads to big benefits!
Power-Plate
- the hottest new exercise phenomenon that has taken Europe and America by
storm – is coming to Fulham!
Health
benefits at the touch of a button